Around 13.61 lakh seats are expected to remain vacant in Class XI this year as the number of SSC and equivalent examination passers has fallen, leaving colleges and madrasas with far more seats than eligible students.

There are around 25 lakh seats available for Class XI admission across colleges and madrasas, while 11,38,877 students passed the SSC and equivalent examinations this year.

Dhaka Education Board Chairman Syed Akhtaruzzaman told TBS that the number of vacant seats after Class XI admissions will increase from last year as the pass rate has fallen.

According to education board data, even if all successful students from all boards, including the Technical Education Board, enrol in Class XI, around 13.61 lakh seats will remain vacant. In reality, not all successful students will enrol, meaning the number of vacant seats could be higher.

Last year, students filled 58.7% of the total seats available for Class XI admission, leaving 41.3% vacant. The number of vacant seats is expected to rise this year due to the lower pass rate.

Meanwhile, there will be no lottery or admission test for Class XI admissions this year. As in previous years, institutions will be allocated based on SSC and equivalent examination results, students’ preferences and quotas, where applicable.

Students seeking admission have to list at least five and up to 10 colleges or equivalent institutions in order of preference online. They are then nominated for admission to one institution based on their results, preferences and applicable quotas.

Most colleges and madrasas carry out Class XI admissions using a centralised online system.

However, a few institutions, including Notre Dame College in Dhaka, admit students through their own procedures. Institutions under the Technical Education Board also follow a separate admission process.

The SSC and equivalent examination results were published yesterday. A total of 18,29,485 students appeared in the examinations under 11 education boards, of whom 11,38,877 passed. Nearly seven lakh students failed to pass the examinations.